The Human Services Program is for those students wishing to build a rewarding career helping others who are experiencing personal and socialization problems. This field is on the Workforce Development Board’s list of high need and high pay as a growing field. The Associate Degree in Human Services will prepare you for entry-level positions in social services or for transfer to four-year colleges or universities to pursue human services, psychology, social work, sociology, and other related social sciences majors. Some courses in this degree may be offered online.
Human Services AS Degree Graduates Typically Earn:
The starting salary for a human services assistant is approximately $28,000-$35,000 annually.*
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of social and human service assistants is expected to grow by nearly 23 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.**
* Source: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211093.htm#st
**Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos059.htm#outlook
Human Services Career Opportunities:
Human service worker, case management aide, social work assistant, community support worker, mental health aide, community outreach worker, life skills counselor, social services aide, youth worker, psychological aide, client advocate, or gerontology aide.
Admission Process:
In addition to the admission requirements for the College, the following are requirements for admission to the Human Services Program:
- Graduation from high school or receipt of a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
- Completion of admission requirements to Edison State College.
- Completion of learning assistance courses, if required, by the start of the program.
- Attainment of a minimum grade of “C” or above in all general education courses, including prerequisites.
- Submission of official transcripts from post-secondary institutions showing completion of any of the prerequisite or corequisite courses.
Additional Program Requirements:
Continuation in the upper level coursework requires satisfactory completion of an immunization and health report in addition to a satisfactory completion of a College-approved criminal history background check and drug screen (completed at the applicant’s expense). The following must be completed in the semester that students are enrolled in HUS 2302 - Basic Counseling Skills:
- Completed medical exam form including immunization and TB status
- FLDE criminal background check
- 10-Panel drug screen
Students may not enroll in any HUS classes past HUS 2302 until these requirements are met. Students must immediately report any changes in criminal status to the program coordinator. Any changes will be considered by a college background check committee and may cause ineligibility to continue in the program.
Residency Requirements:
- The Human Services Program has two separate professional practice experience courses. Students will be assigned to a specific healthcare facility or virtual lab simulation for the completion of these experiences.
- Student assignment to facilities or lab simulation is made by the Human Services Program faculty based upon site availability.
- Facilities will be selected from within the Southwest Florida region which includes Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties.
- Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from the professional practice sites as assigned.
- Professional Practice Experiences are only available during weekdays.
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